It's funny, Prince released a string of crappy albums just to get out of his record deal, but no one labels him as a "sellout".
File me under someone who doesn't understand the concept of "selling out".
1) Most bands sign contracts.
2) Most bands are at the mercy of thier labels on what songs make the CD
3) Most bands have to do media-whoring, commercials, etc at some points in thier career.
So really, by even signing a contract you are "selling out". That is the goal of most every band coincidently. This idea of some tortured artist scrapping by on cigs and beer and staying "true to his vision" is laughable.
Of course there are exceptions to what I said, but most bands compromise themselves at some point. If they haven't, they will down the road.
I actually liked the way Liz Phair 'sold out'. She just came out and said, "Fuck you .. I want to sell albums". It was great (and her music was still good).